Published on December 12, 2023

Hot Chocolate in Blue Mug with Marshmallows

Warm Up with Hot Chocolate Made Any Way You Want

Baby, it's sure cold outside, so let’s shake off the cold-weather chills with something warm to drink.

You can experiment with hot chocolate as long as you have a good basic recipe. From there, get creative and have fun mixing your favorite flavors.

With this basic hot cocoa recipe you can do many variations.

Basic Hot Cocoa

Serves:

Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk (whole milk is creamier but reduced fat and nut milks are less fatty)
  • 1 tablespoon raw cocoa or cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions

  1. Add your milk to a small pot and bring to a slow roll over medium heat.
  2. Add in cocoa, sugar and other ingredients. Whisk until well combined with milk.
  3. Serve immediately.

Nutrition notes: You can choose less-fatty milks, including lower-fat coconut milk or almond milk with zero grams added sugar, to make them healthier. Look for raw cacao. It can be bitter for newcomers, since it adds no sugar – but it offers so much more:

  • Antioxidants and gut-health promoting properties
  • Improves blood flow and brain function and is loaded with vital minerals
  • Great for skin and also offers a bit of caffeine

Variations to Get You Started

Banana Hot Chocolate

  • Start with basic hot cocoa recipe
  • 1 medium ripe banana, mashed
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

  • Start with basic hot cocoa recipe
  • ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Chocolate Maple Mocha

  • Start with basic hot cocoa recipe
  • 1 shot espresso
  • 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup

Chai-Spiced Hot Chocolate

  • Start with basic hot cocoa recipe
  • 1 teaspoon chai spice mix (½ teaspoon cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon cloves, ¼ teaspoon ginger and a pinch of cardamom)
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Vanilla Bean Coconut Hot Chocolate

  • Start with basic hot cocoa recipe
  • 1 vanilla bean, scraped
  • 1 tablespoon coconut butter
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Nutella Hot Chocolate

  • Start with basic hot cocoa recipe
  • 3 tablespoons + 1½ teaspoon Nutella
  • ⅓ cup heavy cream
  • ⅛ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Bourbon Dark Hot Chocolate

  • Start with basic hot cocoa recipe
  • ⅓ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
  • Dash of honey to taste
  • Dash of water
  • Pinch cayenne pepper
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 tablespoon Bourbon (optional)

Mexican Hot Chocolate

  • Start with basic hot cocoa recipe
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper

Mix It Up With Your Hot Chocolate

Don't be basic! Try a few new things to put in hot chocolate that you might not have tried before to add extra flavor to any cup of cocoa.

  • Candy canes
  • Mint
  • Orange
  • Peppermint or peppermint extract
  • Raspberry
  • Chocolate syrup or shavings
  • Cocoa powder
  • Marshmallows
  • Nutella
  • Whipped cream
  • Cardamom
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Pumpkin pie spice
  • Chai spice
  • Sea salt
  • Mashed banana
  • 100% Maple syrup
  • Bourbon (adults only)

Non-Cocoa Drink Recipes

Try these hot drinks when you need a break from chocolate.